Candidates Offer Thoughts on Eve of SLP Primary

With the St. Louis Park City Council primary election just a day away, Patch caught up with the three candidates to see how campaigning has gone so far and what they’re thinking heading into the big day.

Tuesday’s election will whittle down the pool for the council’s “at-large B” field from three to two. The two winners will then compete in the general election on Nov. 8.  Also up for election on Nov. 8 is the mayor’s seat—incumbent Jeff Jacobs is running unopposed—and the “at-large A” spot, where faces .

Tim Brausen

Brausen said his first time running for office has been a great experience.

“It’s been marvelous for me,” he said. “I’ve learned so much about my community.”

The candidate said campaigning has kept him busy, noting that he’s had to push back a few projects around the house. Brausen said he’s made a big door-knocking push, and also biked around quite a bit during National Night Out last week.

As far as what he expects at the polls Tuesday, Brausen said he doesn't know, but he hopes the work that's been spent on the campaign is “vindicated.”

For more, see Tim Brausen’s .

Claudia Johnston-Madison

Johnston-Madison said a lot more people have been interested in her campaign this time than when she ran two years ago. She hopes that's a good sign.

“I’m pretty pleased,” she said of campaigning. “I think things are going well.”

Part of the effort has been knocking on an estimated 1,500 doors, which Johnston-Madison said she really enjoys doing.

And even though she’s run for office before, the candidate said it’s impossible not to have some jitters on the eve of an election.

“Everybody’s got to be nervous,” Johnston-Madison said. “Who wouldn’t be?”

For more, see Claudia Johnston-Madison’s .

Jake Spano

Spano said he’s been working on his campaign every day since he filed—and so have some dedicated volunteers.

“It’s been all volunteer,” he said. “I’ve been really, really fortunate.”

The volunteer effort has been coordinated by Spano’s wife, who is a local teacher. All told, he said they’ve knocked on nearly 2,000 St. Louis Park doors.

“It’s really been about getting out in the community and meeting folks,” Spano said.

The candidate said he doesn't know what to expect on election day, but noted that since primary turnouts are generally pretty low, voters can really make an impact.

“Every single vote is critical,” Spano said.

For more, see Jake Spano’s .